Well, it looks like all I had to do is print something on a mid-America film project and Father Geek here gets swamped with like events from all over. Good! We want to hear about them. That's what's cool about the NET. Most of these projects would lay there un-noticed otherwise. If a film about a lawnmower ride in Iowa can get made, then there's hope for all those strange ideas out there, and that makes us at AICN very, very happy. Now here's the Carreyholic's report from the heartland.
Hi-ya, cubbies!: ) Right from my home state of corn, pigs and Twisters:
Remember the guy from Iowa who couldn't see well enough to have a driver's license? And he wanted to travel and visit his brother in Wisconsin, so he drove his 1966 John Deere riding lawn mower all the way across north-eastern Iowa to get there? Well, in 1994, a then 73-year-old gent from Laurens, Iowa - Alvin Straight - did just that. This real-life story is being put to film by David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart). Principle photography starts Sept. 14 based mainly in Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa, with some scenes also planned for Laurens and other small towns along Alvin Straight's travel route. The film's working title is "The Straight Story."
Here's some facts about the journey: It started in July, 1994. He averaged 5 mph. He couldn't travel at night because he had no lights on the mower. Four days into the trip. 21 miles from Laurens, the mower broke down, and he spent $250 (most of his budget) on repairs, forcing him to camp along US Hwy18. In Charles City, he ran out of money. He camped out until his Social Security check arrived. He got to Clermont, and then needed more mower repairs. The rains fell, and he spent a week in Clermont. When he got to Wisconsin, the police stopped him for riding his mower on four-lane US Hwy18. Lastly, about 2 miles of his brother's (Henry) house in Blue River, Wis., on Aug. 15, his mower gave up the ghost. A farmer helped him push it to his brother's house.
In other Iowa film goings on: Principle photography began on July 17 (Mon.) for the film WHITE BOYS in Davenport, Iowa. The film is directed by Mark Levin and produced by Ezra Swerdlow. The cast is a bunch of unknowns. Release date is sometime in 1999.
If I hear anything else, I'll be sure to pass it along.; )
Carreyholic .
